La devianza giovanile tra punizione ed educazione: il caso della Francia

The first chapter of this dissertation investigates deviant behaviour from a sociological point of view. In the beginning of this chapter, deviant behaviour is explained in relation to social learning, cognitive development, psychoanalytic, and rational choice theories. Moreover, criminological theories such as routine activity, lifestyle, and broken windows theory are illustrated. The last part of the chapter is dedicated to the studies on deviance of famous criminologists and sociologists. These being Beccaria, Sutherland, Durkheim, Merton, Lemert, Becker, Sykes and Matza. In the second chapter, the focus is shifted on France’s social and legal context. The situation in the French suburbs “banlieues” is narrated. Statistics on these districts are provided, to denounce the economic difficulties residents of these areas experience. Problems such as police brutality and gang violence are described. The second part of this chapter provides an overview of French criminal law and the Code of Juvenile Criminal Justice, with a focus on the differentiated treatment for minors in relation to their capacity for discernment. In the third and last part jurisdictions for minors are described and alternative measures to penalties are examined. The role of youth welfare services, in supporting minors, is outlined. The discussion on French criminal mediation is central to this chapter. The final part of this chapter is on the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture’s findings and the European Commission’s Rule of Law report. Through their reports, these two institutions provide a critical assessment of the French penal system and detention conditions.